Fiberglass splicing method

ABSTRACT

A method for splicing reinforcement panels using a UV curable adhesive. The method includes the steps of: (a) aligning facing ends of two reinforcement panels; (b) applying adhesive on said facing ends of said two reinforcement panels; (c) butting together said facing ends of said two reinforcement panels; and (d) applying an ultraviolet light source to the adhesive. The method eliminates waste, reduces splicing time and improves the mechanical properties of the resultant mat.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a splicing method. More particularly,the invention relates to a method for splicing fiberglass, polyester orcombinations thereof and which eliminates waste, reduces splicing timeand improves the mechanical properties of the resultant mat.

BACKGROUND

Currently, a hot melt tape is used to splice reinforcement panelstogether. This method, however, is ineffective and wasteful since muchof the coated material must be discarded. Other methods of splicingreinforcement together require the overlap of one end of a firstreinforcement panel on the end of the reinforcement panel that is beingspliced with. This method is also wasteful and does not permitutilization of the entire length of the reinforcement panel since partof one reinforcement panel receives the overlapping portion of the otherpanel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a splicing method comprising the steps of:aligning facing ends of two reinforcement panels; securing saidreinforcement panels to reduce movement or shifting; applying adhesiveon said facing ends of said two reinforcement panels; butting togethersaid facing ends of said two reinforcement panels; and applying anultraviolet source to the adhesive.

The invention further provides a method for forming an adheredreinforcement panel comprising the steps of splicing method comprisingthe steps of: aligning facing ends of two reinforcement panels; securingsaid reinforcement panels to reduce movement or shifting; applyingadhesive on said facing ends of said two reinforcement panels; buttingtogether said facing ends of said two reinforcement panels; and applyingan ultraviolet source to the adhesive.

The method of the present invention provides for precision bonding isfaster and simpler thus rendering the splicing more efficient.Additionally, the method provides improved tensile strength andeliminates waste.

The above and other features of the invention, including various noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts, will now be moreparticularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particulardevice embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only andnot as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features ofthis invention may be employed in various and numerous embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The method according to the present invention first requires thealignment of facing reinforcement panels. The facing panels are notoverlapped, but are brought together in an end-to-end fashion anddiametrically opposite one another. An adhesive is then applied on eachof the facing ends of the panels. The ends with adhesive thereon arethen brought together and cured by application of an ultraviolet lightsource to the adhesive. In order to prevent or diminish movement of thepanels during curing, the panels may be secured by a restrainingapparatus or clamp.

Reinforcement panels are typically roofing or waterproofing membranesthat have been strengthened by the addition or incorporation of one ormore reinforcing materials, including woven or nonwoven glass fibers,polyester mats or scrims, nylon, or polyethylene sheeting. Thereinforcement panels in accordance with the present invention areadvantageously fiberglass or polyester, although the invention is notintended to be limited in this respect. The panels which are adhered toeach other and cured in accordance with the method of the invention maybe of the same composition, different or combinations thereof. Forexample, the reinforcement panels being spliced together may both bepolyester, or they may both be fiberglass. Additionally, one panel maybe fiberglass and spliced to a polyester panel.

The adhesive used in accordance with the present invention may be anycommercially available UV curable adhesive. Preferable UV curableadhesives include Loctite® 3494, 3491, 3492, 3525, 3526, but not are notlimited thereto. The adhesive can be acrylic based esters with UV curingtechnology and may also can contain silicones and derivatives thereof.The adhesive may be applied by hand or may be dispensed through a seriesof nozzles or the syringes on to the ends of the reinforcements andallowed to cure under UV light when the reinforcements are broughttogether in butting configuration. The dispensation of adhesive istypically metered in accordance with predetermined and pre-setparameters.

The UV light source may be any commercially available ultraviolet sourcewhich can be quickly and easily applied to the adhesive. The UV lightsource may be low, medium or high intensity. In a preferred embodiment,the UV light source has a high intensity and is applied to the adhesivefor 5-20 seconds. Depending on various factors such as the type ofadhesive use, the duration of application of the UV light to theadhesive will vary. The UV light source may be low, medium or highintensity, with a high intensity source being preferable.

The method in accordance with the present invention increases the shearand tensile strength both in the machine and cross machine directionsover the traditional hot melt approach. Comparative results are shown inthe following chart: Max Load Tensile Sample Type and ID (lbf) Strain(%) Comments Current Stocton Heat 33 1.5 Hot Pressed. The Activated Tapepolyester backing does not saturate with asphalt. Loctite ® Adhesive 543.4 Adhesive across the splice Loctite ® Adhesive 66 3.7 More adhesiveLoctite ® Adhesive 40.4 2.5 Spaced with small amounts of adhesiveapplied as dots Loctite ® Adhesive 34.4 2.3 Saw Tooth Less AdhesiveLoctite ® Adhesive 48.4 2.8 Saw Tooth More Adhesive

While there has been shown and described what is considered to bepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, beunderstood that various modifications and changes in form or detailcould readily be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited tothe exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed tocover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A splicing method comprising the steps of: a. aligning facing ends oftwo reinforcement panels; b. applying adhesive on said facing ends ofsaid two reinforcement panels; c. butting together said facing ends ofsaid two reinforcement panels; and d. applying an ultraviolet lightsource to the adhesive.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising the step of securing said reinforcement panels after aligningthe facing ends in step a so as to reduce movement or shifting.
 3. Themethod as recited in claim 2, wherein the step of securing saidreinforcement panels may be performed by application of a restrainingapparatus or clamp to the reinforcement panels.
 4. The method as recitedin claim 1, wherein said reinforcement panels comprise fiberglass,polyester and combinations thereof.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein said adhesive is an ultraviolet cure adhesive.
 6. The methods asrecited in claim 1, wherein said adhesive is and acrylic based esteradhesive with UV curing technology.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein said ultraviolet light source is high intensity ultravioletlight.
 8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said ultravioletlight source is applied to the adhesive for 5-20 seconds.
 9. The methodas recited in claim 7, wherein said ultraviolet light source is appliedto the adhesive for 5 seconds.
 10. A method for forming a spliced glassmat comprising the steps of: a. diametrically aligning facing ends oftwo reinforcement panels; b. applying adhesive on said facing ends ofsaid two reinforcement panels; c. butting together said facing ends ofsaid two reinforcement panels; and d. applying an ultraviolet lightsource to the adhesive.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10, furthercomprising the step of securing said reinforcement panels after aligningthe facing ends in step a so as to reduce movement or shifting.
 12. Themethod as recited in claim 10, wherein said reinforcement panelscomprise fiberglass, polyester and combinations thereof.
 13. The methodas recited in claim 10, wherein said adhesive is an ultraviolet cureadhesive.
 14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein saidultraviolet light source is high intensity ultraviolet light.
 15. Themethod as recited in claim 10, wherein said ultraviolet light source isapplied to the adhesive for 5-20 seconds.
 16. A method of increasing theshear and tensile strength of a glass mat comprising the steps of:aligning facing ends of two reinforcement panels; a. applying adhesiveon said facing ends of said two reinforcement panels; b. buttingtogether said facing ends of said two reinforcement panels; and c.applying an ultraviolet light source to the adhesive.
 17. The method asrecited in claim 16, further comprising the step of securing saidreinforcement panels after aligning the facing ends in step a so as toreduce movement or shifting.
 18. The method as recited in claim 16,wherein said reinforcement panels comprise fiberglass, polyester andcombinations thereof.
 19. The method as recited in claim 16, whereinsaid adhesive is an ultraviolet cure adhesive.